Finally, a complete ecosystem for
complex chronic conditions

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The Care Layer fills the gap in integrated care for conditions at the gut-brain-pain intersection—integrating psychology, nutrition, nervous system regulation, and behavior change.
Developed for complex conditions where medication alone isn't enough—they require long-term support, interdisciplinary strategies, and sustainable habit and mindset change.

Supporting professionals and patients in different ways

Complex chronic health conditions require a person-centered multifaceted approach

E-Learning

Online education for professionals interested in deepening their skills on the latest evidence-based practices for helping patients with gut health, chronic pain, and more.

Clinical Coaching

Supporting selected patients with individualized appointments that go deep into multiple aspects of health and well-being.

Practitioner Resources

Pre-built questionnaires, infographs, e-books, and resources prepared to support your practice, systematize your treatments, and educate your patients.

Community

A hub for professionals from different fields, allowing for interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration, as well as a directory to display your unique skills.

Complexities we address

We address these fields and conditions as interconnected, not isolated.

Functional GI Disorders

We provide tools to manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) using a combination of psychology, nutrition, and nervous system regulation.

Chronic Pain Syndromes

We specialize in nociplastic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. We develop management strategies integrating pain neuroscience education, mindfulness, anti-inflammatory nutrition, psychological therapies, and behavioral health.

Emotional & Binge Eating

We support patients with disordered eating from multiple fronts, including positive embodiment, nutritional therapies, and nervous system regulation through breathwork and therapeutic yoga.

Burnout & Chronic Stress

Stress management is an important part of addressing most of the conditions listed here. Burnout requires an even more targeted approach, deepening the self-care therapies, targeting physical symptoms through multiple strategies, and bringing lifestyle medicine at the forefront.

Metabolic Health

Conditions such as hypertension, high cholesterol, insulin resistance and other metabolic imbalances require more than just medication — they require changes in nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress regulation and more. 

Women's Health

We focus on conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, through reducing inflammation and pain symptoms. We also support women transitioning through perimenopause, targeting physical and mental health.

Mental Health

Our integrative mental health approach aims to improve symptoms of depression, anxiety and overall emotional and mental challenges using not only psychology, mindfulness and nervous system regulation, but also nutritional psychiatry and lifestyle psychiatry.

Sleep & Recovery

Sleep affects many aspects of physical and mental health, and may need to be prioritized, involving individualized coaching with targeted strategies on sleep hygiene, circadian rhythm, relaxation, supplementation, and more.

Plant-Forward Nutrition 

We support those pursuing the benefits of a diet filled with more plants through culinary nutrition education, meal planning, and nutritional assessments. We also target sports nutrition, metabolic health, hormonal health, and more.

#whole-person-approach | #biopsychosocial-model | #trauma-informed | #patient-centered | #integrative-care

What makes us different

Scientific + Individualized
PhD-trained approach treating each case as a research investigation, not cookie-cutter protocols
Multidisciplinary in One
Integration of pain psychology, gut-brain mechanisms, nervous system regulation, and lifestyle medicine
Coaching-Based Model
Models built for longer appointments (60-90 min), sustained support over weeks/months - not rushed medical visits
MEET THE FOUNDER, COACH & EDUCATOR

Elaine Barretto, Ph.D., DipIBLM, NBC-HWC

Combining scientific rigor with individualized, coaching-based care to address conditions that require integration across multiple systems.
  • MSc in Psychological Medicine
  • PhD in Engineering & Biomedical Technology
  • Board Certified in Lifestyle Medicine and Health and Wellness Coaching
  • Specialized training in chronic pain, psychogastroenterology, IBS/FODMAP, nutritional psychiatry, disordered eating, mind-body medicine, health communications, and more.

Find the right tools for you

For Health Professionals

Practitioners who want training, collaborative patient support, or organizational development at this intersection

For Patients

Those with overlapping conditions who need integrated care rather than fragmented specialists

WE ARE HAPPY TO TALK.

Ready to explore how The Care Layer can help?